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With what seems to be the “Green Revolution” people and companies everywhere are trying to find better and more efficient ways of living while coexisting with Mother Earth and her resources. While being a large contributor to power consumption it’s no surprise that the pool industry is making waves with efficient variable speed pool, spa, and water feature pumps and motors. Any pool owner will tell you that the majority of their electricity bill is generated from the pumps that are running anywhere from 4 to 12 hours a day and reducing that cost will become a priority. There are two main variable speed pumps that reduce cost and increase efficiency that are on the market today. The first is the Pentair IntelliFlo and the second is the Hayward EcoStar. Both are very good pumps and can reduce power consumption to save money on operating costs every month. This article will compare the two pumps in various aspects including price, horsepower and RPM range, usability, and efficiency and cost.
Price
Price Currently the price of both of these pumps at a supplier right now retail for $1,758.00. The Hayward EcoStar has a $50.00 rebate and come with the unions needed for installation. The unions normally cost about $40.00 so the Hayward EcoStar comes in at $90.00 cheaper than the Pentair IntelliFlo.
Horsepower and RPM Range
Both pumps run at around 3 HP. The Pentair IntelliFlo has a pump that is capable of over twice that but is capped by the controller at 3 HP. The Pentair IntelliFlo has a RPM range of 450 to 3450 and the Hayward EcoStar has a range of 600 to 3450 (1000 to 3450 on SP3400VSPVR). Both pumps run at about the same horsepower but the Pentair IntelliFlo gives the option to run the pump at a much slower speed.
Usability
Being that both pumps are very similar in many aspects, usability can have a large impact on which one is chosen. The Pentair IntelliFlo menu structure is nicely organized, similar to the Hayward EcoStar. The biggest difference is in the buttons and how to navigate the menu and settings. Below are side by side pictures of the menu buttons.
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The Pentair intelliFlo on the left and the Hayward Navigator on the right. The first thing noticed is that the Pentair IntelliFlo has more buttons which hints at its complexity. One of the biggest complaints about the Pentair Intelliflo is that it has what appears to be 2 enter keys which often confuse users. These keys are the “Select” key and the “Enter” key. In this day and age of computing and menu navigation, an “Enter” key acts the same as a “Select” key and users expect that. This is not the case for the Pentair intelliFlo. Use the wrong key the user will get a “KEY ERROR” message that displays for a certain amount of time causing an interuption in navigating the menu. The Hayward EcoStar on the other hand understands ease of use and intuitiveness that go with the human brain and menu navigation. It often uses the “>” key to progress through the menu system, and it often tells the users what button to press to progress, instead of leaving the user to fumble his or her own way through the menu on trial and error.
Notice that both pumps have a “Quick Clean” button. The “Quick Clean” button runs the pump at a higher speed for a certain amount of time. The Intelliflo runs the pump at 3450 RPM for 10 Mins. This is hardly enough to vacuum a pool under this setting. Although the quick clean settings can be changed to different speeds and longer periods of time (up to 10 hours), this is not something that comes usable out of the box. The Hayward EcoStar “Quick Clean” button runs the pump at 3450 RPM for 60 minutes by default. This gives ample time to vacuum and circulate chemicals through the pool system when servicing a pool out of the box.
The Pentair IntelliFlo has more controls, options, and settings that can be used to customize many aspects of the pump. This comes at a price, non-intuitive menu navigation, complex menu structure, passwords, and plain difficulty of use. Although these settings and customizations can be seen as a nice feature, they will only be used under special circumstances which is rarely seen under an average residentail or even commercial pool. The simple out of the box usability has Hayward EcoStar a leg up in this category.
Notice that both pumps have a “Quick Clean” button. The “Quick Clean” button runs the pump at a higher speed for a certain amount of time. The Intelliflo runs the pump at 3450 RPM for 10 Mins. This is hardly enough to vacuum a pool under this setting. Although the quick clean settings can be changed to different speeds and longer periods of time (up to 10 hours), this is not something that comes usable out of the box. The Hayward EcoStar “Quick Clean” button runs the pump at 3450 RPM for 60 minutes by default. This gives ample time to vacuum and circulate chemicals through the pool system when servicing a pool out of the box.
The Pentair IntelliFlo has more controls, options, and settings that can be used to customize many aspects of the pump. This comes at a price, non-intuitive menu navigation, complex menu structure, passwords, and plain difficulty of use. Although these settings and customizations can be seen as a nice feature, they will only be used under special circumstances which is rarely seen under an average residentail or even commercial pool. The simple out of the box usability has Hayward EcoStar a leg up in this category.
Efficiency and Cost
When comparing variable speed pool pumps efficiency is the name of the game. Consumers do not want to buy an energy efficient variable speed pump for the features. The majority of consumers want to buy them for the investment on how it can save them money on operating costs. The California Energy Commission tested both the Pentair IntelliFlo and Hayward EcoStar at 3450 and 1000 RPM. The results are below (http://www.appliances.energy.ca.gov/).
3450 RPM
Intelliflo: 97 GPM, 2720 Watts, 2.14 Gallons/Watt-hr
EcoStar: 98 GPM, 2324 Watts, 2.53 Gallons/Watt-hr
1000 RPM
Intelliflo: 30 GPM, 140 Watts, 12.86 Gallons/Watt-hr
EcoStar: 28 GPM, 90 Watts, 17.5 Gallons/Watt-hr
Looking at the top speed (3450 RPM) both pumps have about the same throughput which means the safe assumption that they are using the same size impellor. This allows the direct comparison at any RPM. At the top speed the Hayward EcoStar pushes slightly more water while using less electricity. The efficiency, at Gallons/Watt-hr, shows the EcoStar at 18% more efficient at 3450 RPM. At lower speeds (1000 RPM), the difference is much more. The EcoStar shows 36% more efficiency per Watt-hr leaving the Hayward EcoStar considerable more efficient that the Pentair IntelliFlo throughout the entire comparable RPM range.
When looking at the energy consumed by a pool pump, the energy is measured by Watts (W) or Kilowatts (kW). These measurements can help determine the operating cost of the pump by the equation below.
(Power Consumption of Pump) X (Cost of Electricity) = (Cost of Pump Operation per Hour)
As an example, the above equation can compare a Centurion 1 HP pump to a Hayward EcoStar to see how much estimated savings a pool owner can get by switching over to a variable speed pump. This is under the assumption that a 1 HP pump runs at 1794 W and the cost of electricity on Oahu is an average of $0.36 per kWh. We can find the Watts of a pump by the label on the side. Multiply Volts (230) by Amps (7.8) and you get 1794 Watts.
1. 1 HP pool pump operating at 1794 W. Cost of electricity = $0.36 per kWh
2. Convert Watts to Kilowatts: 1794 W / 1000 = 1.794 kW
3. 1.794 kW X $0.36 = $0.65 per hour
4. $0.65 per hour at 8 hours a day = $5.17 per day and $155.00 per 30 day month
1. Hayward EcoStar operating at 90 W (1000 RPM). Cost of electricity = $0.36 per kWh
2. Convert Watts to Kilowatts: 90 W / 1000 = .09 kW
3. .09 kW X $0.36 = $.03 per hour
4. $.03 per hour at 8 hours a day = $0.26 per day and $7.78 per 30 day month
The above example will save the owner an estimated $147.22 per month on electricity. Just as an example, there are pool companies that will install these variable speed pumps in your pool for about $2000.00 (Hawaii Pool and Spa will beat that price – Contact us now). The return on investment (ROI) will be 14 months or over 1 year. Hawaii Pool and Spa will install a variable speed pump for less than $2000.00 to give you a faster ROI.
There are variables in the above example. A 1 HP pool pump may operate at above 1794 W in a true to life scenario. The variable speed pump will most likely not be running at 1000 RPM but slightly higher. Also, if a suction side automatic cleaner is installed in the pool the pump speed will need to be raised for an hour a day to allow the cleaner to keep leaves and debris off the pool bottom. Finally, if you have Pool Service Technician service your pool once a week he or she will most likely put the pump on “Quick Clean” setting or raise the RPM to get better suction and circulation while servicing the pool. All of these variables may increase or decrease your actual savings for pool pump operation.
3450 RPM
Intelliflo: 97 GPM, 2720 Watts, 2.14 Gallons/Watt-hr
EcoStar: 98 GPM, 2324 Watts, 2.53 Gallons/Watt-hr
1000 RPM
Intelliflo: 30 GPM, 140 Watts, 12.86 Gallons/Watt-hr
EcoStar: 28 GPM, 90 Watts, 17.5 Gallons/Watt-hr
Looking at the top speed (3450 RPM) both pumps have about the same throughput which means the safe assumption that they are using the same size impellor. This allows the direct comparison at any RPM. At the top speed the Hayward EcoStar pushes slightly more water while using less electricity. The efficiency, at Gallons/Watt-hr, shows the EcoStar at 18% more efficient at 3450 RPM. At lower speeds (1000 RPM), the difference is much more. The EcoStar shows 36% more efficiency per Watt-hr leaving the Hayward EcoStar considerable more efficient that the Pentair IntelliFlo throughout the entire comparable RPM range.
When looking at the energy consumed by a pool pump, the energy is measured by Watts (W) or Kilowatts (kW). These measurements can help determine the operating cost of the pump by the equation below.
(Power Consumption of Pump) X (Cost of Electricity) = (Cost of Pump Operation per Hour)
As an example, the above equation can compare a Centurion 1 HP pump to a Hayward EcoStar to see how much estimated savings a pool owner can get by switching over to a variable speed pump. This is under the assumption that a 1 HP pump runs at 1794 W and the cost of electricity on Oahu is an average of $0.36 per kWh. We can find the Watts of a pump by the label on the side. Multiply Volts (230) by Amps (7.8) and you get 1794 Watts.
1. 1 HP pool pump operating at 1794 W. Cost of electricity = $0.36 per kWh
2. Convert Watts to Kilowatts: 1794 W / 1000 = 1.794 kW
3. 1.794 kW X $0.36 = $0.65 per hour
4. $0.65 per hour at 8 hours a day = $5.17 per day and $155.00 per 30 day month
1. Hayward EcoStar operating at 90 W (1000 RPM). Cost of electricity = $0.36 per kWh
2. Convert Watts to Kilowatts: 90 W / 1000 = .09 kW
3. .09 kW X $0.36 = $.03 per hour
4. $.03 per hour at 8 hours a day = $0.26 per day and $7.78 per 30 day month
The above example will save the owner an estimated $147.22 per month on electricity. Just as an example, there are pool companies that will install these variable speed pumps in your pool for about $2000.00 (Hawaii Pool and Spa will beat that price – Contact us now). The return on investment (ROI) will be 14 months or over 1 year. Hawaii Pool and Spa will install a variable speed pump for less than $2000.00 to give you a faster ROI.
There are variables in the above example. A 1 HP pool pump may operate at above 1794 W in a true to life scenario. The variable speed pump will most likely not be running at 1000 RPM but slightly higher. Also, if a suction side automatic cleaner is installed in the pool the pump speed will need to be raised for an hour a day to allow the cleaner to keep leaves and debris off the pool bottom. Finally, if you have Pool Service Technician service your pool once a week he or she will most likely put the pump on “Quick Clean” setting or raise the RPM to get better suction and circulation while servicing the pool. All of these variables may increase or decrease your actual savings for pool pump operation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both variable speed pumps are very good pumps. The Pentair IntelliFlow seems to have a big following among technicians being that it has been out on the market longer but the Hayward EcoStar will provide the best efficiency while significantly lowering operating costs over the Pentair IntelliFlo in a simpler out of the box experience.
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